The Evolution of My Mountain Painting

The Artistic Process

Every artist works differently and has what I would call "an artistic process". In college, my artistic process was a bit different than it is now. I had a studio space that I completely filled up with every material I found inspiring - wires, old wood, paint chips, rope, insulation, building materials, garbage. I found a lot of my materials in dumpsters and old, abandoned factories. It was awesome. Currently, I live in a very small apartment and do not have a studio space, so I'm utilizing my apartment as though it is my studio. I have a drafting table where I can make a mess, but other than that I keep my apartment spick and span and highly organized. After all, it is my living space and my studio. The walls are covered with my art, ideas for art, and images that inspire me. Previously, I worked with oils and messy materials, but now I work with acrylics because they are easy to clean up, highly versatile, and do not give off toxic fumes. I've also been working a little bit smaller due to space restrictions. I'm discovering that no matter what the situation is, I can adapt my artistic process and still make art. Oftentimes, I think art is a reflection of the artist who makes it, and if the viewer can gain extra insight about the artist's life by observing the way the piece was made, that can have the potential to make the art more powerful!

I guess what I'm ultimately saying is, don't let life's changing circumstances get in the way of making art! Embrace those changes and integrate them into your work!

Here are some images of new ideas I'm working on! It's all a work in progress, but I want to share my work as it evolves.

The evolution of my painting!

Progress on my painting!

Fine Art: a Commissioned Charcoal Portrait 2.5 ft x 3ft

I just finished this portrait for my friends!

Robischon Gallery Art Opening

Despite a long day, I mustered up the motivation to attend my second art opening since being back in Denver (2 weeks now!) at the Robischon Gallery, and boy am I glad I went! I got to witness first hand Denver’s art scene at its finest, or so it seemed, with those trendy thick framed glasses perched on discerning faces (I was wondering where these people were hiding!), coiffed bobs, cool shoes, crowds of all different types of people, and art galore!

After a brief look around, much of the art screamed “this is the age of digitization!”, and other works suggested “hibbity jibbity”  (I have no idea, they were in German).  There were some fabulous paintings of grotesque, mutated faces, dead birds, and a plethora of other objects that would take many moments of pondering to understand the significance. 

After I left the art opening, I was able to enjoy a beautiful evening gliding through the streets on my bike, soaking in the cool air and filling my sights with the dramatic night sky and illuminated high rises.  I even took the long way home and passed many people strolling on the sidewalks, enjoying the evening as I was, people who had not gone to the art opening or even knew about it.  I found that it was quite easy to live in Denver for almost two years knowing nothing about the Denver art scene beyond cafes and street art.  But there  is definitely a scene, compelling and beautiful, as I found out tonight.